Architectural Association School of Architecture...
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Architectural Association School of Architecture
History and Critical Thinking MA
Architecture and its Mediations - Dr. Douglas Spencer
Molly McCormick
Diamond Rock Stars and the People Who Watch Them
The Shard as we know it now, indivisible from the Southwark
skyline is a both a sign of the times and not. The most telling
aspect of the building may not be the construction or layout but
how it simultaneously orients and divides the profession of
architecture. From conception to critique, it is both a fore-
runner of possible trends and the beginning of the end for a
particular kind of architectural persona. The building makes a
defining statement about what it means to be ‘corporate’ in a
media-savvy and somewhat tech-oppressive environment.
Indeed more than any other of Renzo Piano’s work or even
Irvine Sellar’s (the man behind Sellar Property Group)
investments, the Shard requires something more to be
successful: the Shard needs both love and envy. This neediness
is due mostly to the structure’s frankly enormous scale and its
subsequent pretentions to become a London icon. Yet to
achieve these twin goals, the building has to mean something
beyond its gargantuan size. In its raw ambition, the Shard
wants to be as photo-friendly as any other tourist spot in
London, however there are elements that are preventing the
architecture achieving this, elements that boil down to how the
Shard is viewed from within, from without and by
comparison.1
1 Images on page 1 courtesy of: Skylines: Opinions on Renzo Piano's Shard, London Architectural Review Online, July 24th,
2012, < http://www.architectural-review.com/skylines-opinions-on-renzo-pianos-shard-london/8633386.article > (March 14th, 2013), Jeff Moore Photography, © 2013 Jeff Moore Last Viewed March 14
th 2013
http://www.jeffmoorephoto.co.uk/, “The View from the Shard”, The Official Website of the View from the London Shard © 2013 The View Last Viewed March 14th, 2013 http://www.theviewfromtheshard.com/, respectively
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View from the Top
According to Sellar, during initial discussions the
architect expressed a strong dislike for "tall buildings" 2
and sketched a few fluid strokes hinting at what was
known in 2001 as the "London Bridge Tower" 3. As Piano
dogmatically stated: “Tall buildings are often phallic
symbols, a symbol of the desire to show how powerful
you are”.4 Given the Shard as it is now, this seems like a
highly hypocritical assessment. Especially as the Shard is
over three times the height of the site's former building,
The Southwark Towers, and by 16 feet, has become the
tallest building in Western Europe.5
Though to Piano’s credit, the Southwark Towers were
indeed “Tall6”. The Towers appear to have been designed
as a monument to finance; boastful, intimidating and
nothing else. This single-mindedness ultimately limited
the Towers’ appeal. Indeed it seems that the earlier
structure’s real redeemable feature was that it held a
spectacular view from the top floors.7That view, which
the Shard now possesses8, has become its top-selling
feature.9 In advertisements, the "View from the Shard"
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is the chance to get a glimpse at the glamorous life. As
2 Chris Bourke, Shard Developer Sellar to Seek Highest Office Rents Since 1980s, Bloomberg Press Online
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=asyu2hRRumfY (January 20th, 2010) 3 Amanda Hall, City Profile: Sellar’s Towering Ambition, The Telegraph Online
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4486928/City-Profile-Sellars-towering-ambition.html (March 25th 2001) 4 Chris Bourke, Shard Developer Sellar to Seek Highest Office Rents Since 1980s, Bloomberg Press Online
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=asyu2hRRumfY (January 20th, 2010) 5 The next tallest building in Western Europe is the Commerzbank Tower in Frankfurt, Germany designed by
Foster and Partners. “Commerzbank Towers”, The Official of Foster and Partners© 2013 Foster and Partners Last Viewed March 14th, 2013 <http://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/commerzbank-headquarters/ > 6 In this case "Tall" can be overly simplified as the exact opposite of what Rem Koolhaas would refer to as
"Bigness" Koolhaas, Rem & Bruce Mau S,M,L,XL, The Monacelli Press,New York, NY 1995 7 "Change of Address" (classified advertisement by Price Waterhouse & Co.), The Times, London, England
1975-12-01, p.22 8 Images on page 2 courtesy of the R.I.B.A. Archive and the author, respectively “Southwark Towers”
Photograph. Date Unknown. London Photo Files, Royal Institute of British Architects, London UK 9 The View from the Shard”, The Official Website of the View from the London Shard © 2013 The View Last
Viewed March 14th, 2012 http://www.theviewfromtheshard.com/ 10
The View from the Shard”, The Official Website of the View from the London Shard © 2013 The View Last Viewed March 14th, 2012 http://www.theviewfromtheshard.com/
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one commercial states “Rise Above it All”11
as Bus statements implore “Stop Staring Up,
Start Looking Down”. 12
11
The View from the Shard. "The View from the Shard." available at YouTube, uploaded by user TheViewfromtheShard. Youtube.com October 26th, 2012. Date of Access <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXctjoGP58o> 12
Images on page 3 courtesy of the author
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While this could be seen as a marketing technique to try and
get 25£ a pop (100£ if you have not reserved a ticket)13
from a
novelty-loving public, this campaign may also have the effect
presenting the Shard as a fashionable event rather than a
building: temporary and fun rather than oppressive and
permanent. As Tom Sutcliffe from the Saturday Review for
BBC Radio 4 noted, it seems similar to the Eiffel Tower when
it was completed in 1889, particularly in Guy de Maupassant’s
claims of the top being "the only place [in Paris] where I don't
have it see it.”14
Yet while the Eiffel Tower has extensive parks on all sides, the
Shard just kind of happens next to a train station. One might
argue that this has to do with the differences between the two
structures (one being an exhibition piece and the other being a
business machine), yet through this gesture the Shard becomes
both inescapable from a distance and yet inaccessible from
close range. The closer one gets the less real it becomes. So if
Maupassant’s comment is to be re-invented, it might be along
the lines of “The entrance to the Shard is the only place where I
don’t have to worry about it.” For visitors to “The View” the
entry is actually under the main lobby and, by comparison,
feels earthier, more industrial, and poorer. Comparing the two
entrances is telling of the Shard's actual intent.
The building can only really be seen from far away, perfect,
dangerous and powerful: A synthetic mountain. Its
presentation banks its charm, as so many lead guitarists and
wannabe poets have done before, on being edgy and aloof yet
just interested enough: you can look, but you can’t touch. This
notion of secluded crystal perfection would be fine, except that
the otherwise definitive statement is contradicted by two
means: firstly that the materiality and design origins attempt to
blend with the environment. Secondly that the advertising
makes definitive statement about the kind of people who can
afford it and claims that anyone can be one of them. One of the
contradictions is physical, the other is not. 15
13
“The View from the Shard”, The Official Website of the London Shard © 2013 The View Last Viewed March 14th, 2012 http://www.theviewfromtheshard.com/ 14
Sutcliffe, Tom Saturday Review: The Shard, Aired January 11th 2013 BBC Radio Four Blogs
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio4/posts/Saturday-Review-The-Shard (March 14th 2013) 15
All Images on page 4 courtesy of the author
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Recalculating...
According to Piano, the Shard's form was derived
from the spires of the surrounding gothic churches 16
but while the end result is questionably, the
materiality seems less so. The tinted blue, hi-tech
look can be visually tied to the Norman Foster forms
which sit at its base. Piano interprets elements of the
local environment and his doing this he is intending
to blend with its immediate surroundings, but to still
be on top. Given this desire to be both domineering
and included, the critical responses have been varied.
Charles Jenks refuted Piano's impressions of London
spires and instead calls the form a “clustered icicle”.17
Amanda Levitt labelled it as a perfect one-liner
stating: "The Shard stands like a proud grandfather
overlooking an infant St. Paul's Cathedral nesting
below."18
Owen Hatherly called it "Sleek, well-made,
and evil"19
, claiming that the tower physically
shadows the council housing below. Simon Jenkins
referred to the building as “a big single finger
gesture” 20
to the Southwark historical council.
Depending on perspective, the Shard could be seen as
a “vertical village”21
that comes from the nightmares
of 192722
-or- as a masterpiece of an architectural
darling. So which is it: all-consuming tower dedicated
to greed or focus for a fragmented city?
23
The critiques show that how one views this project
says something about how one views most corporate
endeavours. Further, that subscribing to the Shard's
potential requires a specific leap of faith: that it will
establish (or maintain, depending on your position)
16
Skylines: Opinions on Renzo Piano's Shard, London Architectural Review Online, July 24th, 2012
<http://www.architectural-review.com/skylines-opinions-on-renzo-pianos-shard-london/8633386.article>
(March 14th, 2013) 17
Ibid. 18
Ibid. 19
Ibid. 20
Ibid. 21
Ibid. 22
Metropolis. Dir. Fritz Lang Perf.Alfred Abel, Brigitte Helm, Gustav Fröhlich, Rudolf Klein-Rogge UFA (UFA FILMS) 1927. Film. 23
All images on page 5 courtesy of the author
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London as the centre of the financial world. As Simon Allport24
has suggested, it is as if the
building is a re-envisioning of Greenwich Meantime, seeking to dominate, without apology
and without sensitivity. Sellar confirms Allport's assessment stating: “The Shard at London
Bridge Quarter will redefine London’s skyline and become a symbol for the capital,
recognisable throughout the world”.25
So the final pitch becomes "Let me rule you and I will
be yours" or as Piano more eloquently put it: “The building will be adopted because it will be
public...I think people will start to love it more and more.” 26
But if exception was the goal,
then why would have Piano designed the exterior to blend with its surroundings? If it was
indeed to make it “public”, then it is a redefinition of what “public” means; you can view it
from anywhere, but don’t breathe on the glass. Like a museum artefact marked “do not
touch.”
24
Skylines: Opinions on Renzo Piano's Shard, London Architectural Review Online, July 24th, 2012
<http://www.architectural-review.com/skylines-opinions-on-renzo-pianos-shard-london/8633386.article>
(March 14th, 2013) 25
The Shard”, The Official Website of the London Shard ©2011 Sellar Group Last Viewed March 14th, 2012
<http://the-shard.com/shard> 26
Herbert Wright, Renzo Piano Talks about the Shard Blueprint Magazine Online July 12th, 2012 http://www.blueprintmagazine.co.uk/index.php/architecture/renzo-piano-talks-about-the-shard/ (March 14th 2013)
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While the rhetoric coming from Sellar is
common for business-magazine hype, when the
Shard opened it created a constant reminder of
its own existence beyond the usual degree:
Busses to tube stops, radio to television,
simultaneously controlling the skyline and
public27
awareness, all of this done while having
the constant hum of two distinct words:
“exclusive” and “world-class”, two words which
appear no less than 6 times on their website.
In describing the offices:
“The Shard is an inspirational workplace that
provides an exceptional working environment in
a world-class address”28
In describing the hotel:
“Shangri-La is one of the world’s most opulent
and exclusive hotel brands...With breathtaking
views, the 200 luxuriously appointed rooms will
offer guests the signature 5-star service...”29
In describing the residences:
“The Shard will have an exclusive collection of
apartments. The highest residences in the UK
with unrestricted views across the capital.”30
31
Further, the "View from the Shard" tickets
reminds the public that while the average
income may not be able to afford living or
27
Images on page 6 courtesy of the author 28
“The Shard”, The Official Website of the London Shard ©2011 Sellar Group Last Viewed March 14th, 2012
<http://the-shard.com/shard> 29
ibid. 30
ibid. 31
All Images on page 7 courtesy of the Shard official website. “The Shard”, The Official Website of the London Shard ©2011 Sellar Group Last Viewed March 14th, 2012 <http://the-shard.com/shard>
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renting space in the Shard, it can be yours, for a limited time, and a price.32
Yet when
questioned about these notions, Piano stated:
“There is a lot of distortion, with the idea
about the building being for rich people.
There will be 5,000 people working in
the offices, and there is no reason to
think that these people will be very rich.
There will be 1,000 people per day going
to restaurants at mid-rise, and there are
200 or 300 restaurants at the same price
level in London. There will be thousands
more visiting the viewing gallery and
other parts of the building. The other idea
is that there is something wrong with the
money for the Shard coming from Qatar.
I never understood this idea, as if there is
money that smells, or money that has a
perfume. I found it a bit moralistic.”33
34
35
“£25 is too much but in this town
everything costs too much… I agree it is
too expensive… But this is the normal
price. If you go to the top of the Empire
State building you spend more than
that.” Though this is not strictly speaking
true, as the Empire State Building costs
$25 (about £16.50) to get to the 86th
floor. 36
37
32
Farah Nayer, Shard Architect Renzo Piano Says Tower Not Arrogant Bloomberg Online <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-04/shard-architect-renzo-piano-says-tower-not-arrogant-interview.html> (July 5th, 2012) Last Viewed: March 14th, 2013 33
Rowan Moore Renzo Piano: The Shard Will be a Sensor for London The Guardian Observer Online
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2013/jan/13/renzo-piano-shard-interview-observer> (January
13th, 2013) Last Viewed: March 14th, 2013 34
Editorial The Shard: View for a Few The Guardian Observer Online
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/31/the-shard-view-for-a-few> (January 13st, 2013) Last
Viewed: March 14th, 2013 35
All images on page 8 courtesy of the View from the Shard website. “The View from the Shard”, The Official Website of the London Shard © 2013 The View Last Viewed March 14th, 2012 http://www.theviewfromtheshard.com/ 36
Though it is true that to get to the 102nd floor (30 floors higher than the Shard’s observation deck) costs
$42 for an adult, which is about £25 (see next page for continued footnote)
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While it seems odd that the architect is being held responsible for the price of admission, in
comparing the Shard to the Empire State Building, (which Piano had also done in response to
criticisms of designing so large in a time of recession)38
he is choosing a very sophisticated
defence, but maybe not a perfect one.
"Why The Whole World Will Pay to See
This...the Eighth Wonder of the World." 39
The Empire State Building did advertise its
view when it was completed in 1931 and to
this day it's extremely popular New York
destination. 40
Yet while the novelty is
similar, the two buildings are treacherously
different. Both buildings are effectively
palaces to business and both had (or will
have) the increasingly short-lived
aspiration of being the tallest buildings in
the city. Yet the notion of frontality is
unavoidable when comparing the two. The
Empire State Building’s, box-like form is
predictably similar from every angle,
while the Shard's surprisingly complex
form seems to wander around London
changing personalities with the weather,
sometimes threatening, sometimes
inspiring. Walking from the west, it
completes London’s composition, when
36
“The Empire State Building”, The Official Website of the Empire State Building © 2013 Empire State Building
Company LLC Last Viewed March 18th, 2013 <http://www.esbnyc.com/> 37
Fact Check: Renzo Piano’s Shard Doesn’t Measure Up to the Empire State Building, Gives Less Bang for Your
Buck Object Lessons: ArtInfo Online (February 13th, 2013) Last Viewed March 14th, 2013
<http://blogs.artinfo.com/objectlessons/2013/02/22/fact-check-renzo-pianos-shard-doesnt-measure-up-to-
the-empire-state-building-gives-less-bang-for-your-buck/> 38
Farah Nayer, Shard Architect Renzo Piano Says Tower Not Arrogant Bloomberg Online <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-04/shard-architect-renzo-piano-says-tower-not-arrogant-interview.html> (July 5th, 2012) Last Viewed: March 14th, 2013 39
Images on page 9 courtesy of King Kong. Dir Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack Perf. Fay Wray, Bruce Cabot and Robert Armstrong. RKO Radio Pictures (Turner Pictures, Current: Warner Brothers) 1933. Film. & The Snowman and the Snowdog Dir. Hilary Audus, Per. Animated. Channel 4 Lupus Films 2012. Film, respectively 40
THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 1, 1931 Full Page Ad, page 25. <http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/on-this-day/May-1/> - courtesy of http://www.rarenewspapers.com/view/546987
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viewed from the east; it serves as a great, hairy stalker reeking of body spray and corporate
aggression.
Further, the business plans don't match
up. The Shard’s presentation of witheld
exclusivity seems sophisticated, but also
cruel when compared to all the Empire
State Building tchotchkes sold in the
lobby. When the earlier structure was
completed the intent was to get the
space filled as soon as possible 41
and to
achieve this, the owners made sure that
images of the building became part of
accessible mainstream media, most
notably in King Kong (1933)42
.
Following suit, the Shard has appeared
in a few pieces of media outside of
advertising, including the 2012
animated sequel to The Snowman
(1982)43
, The Snowman and the
Snowdog (2012)44
. Though in the latter
film the Shard appears for about 5
seconds, whereas in King Kong, the
Empire State Building is the setting of
the final climax. It shocked, it awed and
it remained in the public consciousness.
Though the Shard’s media persona in
television and film is still being formed
(in an upcoming episode of Dr. Who for
example, the famous alien will ride an
anti-gravity motorcycle to the top, which one might joke is the cheapest way to get there)45
if
the current advertising trend continues, it seems that its portrayal might be a little less
“Sleepless in Seattle” and a little more “Keeping up with the Kardashians.”46
41
Wolner, Edward W. International Dictionary of Architects and Architecture, Randall J. Van Vynckt, editor. Volume 2, p963-964. 42
King Kong. Dir Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack Perf. Fay Wray, Bruce Cabot and Robert Armstrong. RKO Radio Pictures (Turner Pictures, Current: Warner Brothers) 1933. Film. 43
The Snowman Dir. Dianne Jackson, Per. Animated. Channel 4 Universal Pictures 1982. Film 44
The Snowman and the Snowdog Dir. Hilary Audus, Per. Animated. Channel 4 Lupus Films 2012. Film 45
BBC “Dr. Who Returns with ‘The Bells of St. John- First Official Picture’ ”, BBC © 2013 Last Viewed March 18th, 2013 <http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/articles/Doctor-Who-to-Return-with-The-Bells-of-St-John-First-Official-Picture>, top image (page 10) courtesy of same source 46
Bottom Image (page 10) courtesy of Sleepless in Seattle. Dir. Nora Ephron, Perf.Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan. Tristar Pictures 1993
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Finally there is the notion of precedent. In 1920s-30s New York, construction was about who
could build bigger, not necessarily better.47
Whereas in the 2000s-10s the name of the
architect almost means more than the end product. Gehry, Hadid, Koolhaas, Meier, it’s a
collector’s game. So from an attention and investment standpoint, there is no need for the
Shard to be as tall as it is. The Empire State Building needed to be tall, because that was the
whole point, and the simplicity of that goal proved to be surprisingly populist.48
Yet when the
Shard attempted something similar, it received accusations that the building devalues the city
by giving its profits to “absentee investors” rather than “most Londoners”, which has yet to
be proven.49
In comparing the Shard to the Empire State Building, Piano may have made his
case for construction and cost but he also may have also proven that vanity and happiness are
incompatible. 50
51
Starchitecture and a Visit from the Goon Squad
The Shard is controversial, not only in scale but in marketing. It is torn between being the
public art piece the architect wants and the vertical palace the developer wants. In a fiscally
conservative environment, this kind of Starchitecture (though Piano has never fit comfortably
into the term) is in a battle between visual grandeur and a more conservative kind of
practicality. When compared to its contemporaries [50] the Shard seems almost like a brand
47
Wolner, Edward W, International Dictionary of Architects and Architecture, Randall J. Van Vynckt, editor. Volume 2, p963-964. 48
ibid. 49
Editorial The Shard: View for a Few The Guardian Observer Online <http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/31/the-shard-view-for-a-few> (January 13st, 2013) Last Viewed: March 14th, 2013 50
Choderlos De Laclos Dangerous Liaisons (Les Liasons Dangereuses) Trans. Ernest Dowson, Olympia Press 2012. (original printing 1782) 51
Images on page 11 courtesy of Bloomberg online & the Independent online, respectively.
Farah Nayer, Shard Architect Renzo Piano Says Tower Not Arrogant Bloomberg Online
<http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-04/shard-architect-renzo-piano-says-tower-not-arrogant-
interview.html> (July 5th, 2012) Last Viewed: March 14th, 2013
Dawber, Alistair Irvine Sellar: Blue Sky Thinker The Independent Online <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/irvine-sellar-bluesky-thinker-7920608.html> (July 7th, 2012) Last Viewed: March 21st, 2013, respectively
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that was bailed out and shifted towards a more upscale clientele to save the investment. But if
that was true, it would only change the intent, not the product. Shouldn't design speak for
itself? The knee-jerk answer is “yes” but in something as possibly influential as the Shard,
opinions are constructed on more than that, particularly for the general public 52
[51]. As
viewers, we consume the images, marketing and personalities of architecture long before we
may ever see the actual structure, if not intentionally, then by peripheral affiliation. The
Shard’s media thus far absolutely presents "world-class" exclusivity but Piano doesn't. In
interviews he comes off as charming but sincere, well tailored but handy, so criticizing the
Shard as a bully is much more painful because it's true. The Shard may be a premier example
of the kind of structure where the architect is not in control of how the icon appears, just how
it’s made.
53
52
Markus, Thomas A. and Deborah Cameron The World Between Spaces: Buildings and Language Routledge Publishing, London, United Kingdom 2002 53
Images on page 12 courtesy of author
13
Bibliography
Book
De Laclos, Choderlos Dangerous Liaisons (Les Liasons Dangereuses) Trans. Ernest
Dowson, Olympia Press 2012. (original printing 1782)
Koolhaas, Rem & Bruce Mau S,M,L,XL, The Monacelli Press,New York,NY 1995
Markus, Thomas A. and Deborah Cameron The World Between Spaces: Buildings
and Language Routledge Publishing, London, United Kingdom 2002
Wolner, Edward W., International Dictionary of Architects and Architecture, Randall
J. Van Vynckt, editor. Volume 2, 1993
Digital Articles/Publications
“Dr. Who Returns with ‘The Bells of St. John- First Official Picture’ ”, BBC © 2013
Last Viewed March 18th,
2013<http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/articles/Doctor-Who-to-Return-with-
The-Bells-of-St-John-First-Official-Picture>
“Fact Check: Renzo Piano’s Shard Doesn’t Measure Up to the Empire State
Building, Gives Less Bang for Your Buck” Object Lessons: ArtInfo Online (February
13th, 2013) Last Viewed March 14th, 2013
<http://blogs.artinfo.com/objectlessons/2013/02/22/fact-check-renzo-pianos-shard-
doesnt-measure-up-to-the-empire-state-building-gives-less-bang-for-your-buck/>
“Skylines: Opinions on Renzo Piano's Shard, London” Architectural Review Online,
July 24th, 2012, July 24th, 2012 <http://www.architectural-review.com/skylines-
opinions-on-renzo-pianos-shard-london/8633386.article> (March 14th, 2013)
Alistair Dawber Irvine Sellar: Blue Sky Thinker The Independent Online
<http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/irvine-sellar-bluesky-thinker-
7920608.html> (July 7th, 2012) Last Viewed: March 21st, 2013
Amanda Hall, City Profile: Sellar’s Towering Ambition, The Telegraph Online
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/4486928/City-Profile-Sellars-towering-
ambition.html (March 25th 2001)
Anonymous Editorial “The Shard: View for a Few” The Guardian Observer Online
<http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/31/the-shard-view-for-a-few>
(January 13st, 2013) Last Viewed: March 14th, 2013
Chris Bourke, Shard Developer Sellar to Seek Highest Office Rents Since 1980s,
Bloomberg Press Online
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=asyu2hRRumfY
(January 20th, 2010)
Farah Nayer, Shard Architect Renzo Piano Says Tower Not Arrogant Bloomberg
Online <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-04/shard-architect-renzo-piano-
14
says-tower-not-arrogant-interview.html> (July 5th, 2012) Last Viewed: March 14th,
2013
Herbert Wright, Renzo Piano Talks about the Shard Blueprint Magazine Online July
12th, 2012 http://www.blueprintmagazine.co.uk/index.php/architecture/renzo-piano-
talks-about-the-shard/ (March 14th 2013)
Rowan Moore Renzo Piano: The Shard Will be a Sensor for London The Guardian
Observer Online <http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2013/jan/13/renzo-piano-
shard-interview-observer> (January 13th, 2013) Last Viewed: March 14th, 2013
Film & Media
“Commerzbank Towers”, The Official of Foster and Partners© 2013 Foster and
Partners Last Viewed March 14th, 2013
http://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/commerzbank-headquarters/
“Southwark Towers” Photograph. Date Unknown. London Photo Files, Royal
Institute of British Architects, London UK
“The Empire State Building”, The Official Website of the Empire State Building ©
2013 Empire State Building Company LLC Last Viewed March 18th, 2013
http://www.esbnyc.com/
“The Shard”, The Official Website of the London Shard ©2011 Sellar Group Last
Viewed March 14th, 2012 http://the-shard.com/shard
“The View from the Shard”, The Official Website of the View from the London
Shard © 2013 The View Last Viewed March 14th, 2013
http://www.theviewfromtheshard.com/, respectively
King Kong. Dir Merian C. Cooper, Ernest B. Schoedsack Perf. Fay Wray, Bruce
Cabot and Robert Armstrong. RKO Radio Pictures (Turner Pictures, Current: Warner
Brothers) 1933. Film.
Metropolis. Dir. Fritz Lang Perf. Alfred Abel, Brigitte Helm, Gustav Fröhlich, Rudolf
Klein-Rogge UFA (UFA FILMS) 1927. Film.
Sleepless in Seattle. Dir. Nora Ephron, Perf. Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan. Tri-Star Pictures
1993
Sutcliffe, Tom Saturday Review: The Shard, Aired January 11th 2013 BBC Radio
Four Blogs http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/radio4/posts/Saturday-Review-The-Shard
(March 14th 2013)
The Snowman and the Snowdog Dir. Hilary Audus, Per. Animated. Channel 4 Lupus
Films 2012. Film.
The Snowman Dir. Dianne Jackson, Per. Animated. Channel 4 Universal Pictures
1982. Film
The View from the Shard. "The View from the Shard." available at YouTube,
uploaded by user TheViewfromtheShard. Youtube.com October 26th, 2012. Date of
Access http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXctjoGP58o
15
“Change of Address" (classified advertisement by Price Waterhouse & Co.), The
Times, London, England 1975-12-01, p.22
THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 1, 1931 Full Page Ad, page 25.
<http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/on-this-day/May-1/> - courtesy of
http://www.rarenewspapers.com/view/546987